Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Berkeley, CA
Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Berkeley are Hillegass, Elmwood, and South Berkeley. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Berkeley, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of December 20, 2025, the average rent in Berkeley is $2,254, which is 0.2% higher than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.
Hillegass
Average Rent
$2,190/Month
TransitScore® Rating
63/100
Units Available
42 Rentals
Hillegass is an affordable neighborhood in Berkeley with an average rent price of $2,190. Compare this to the city average of $2,254. Hillegass provides easy access to UC Berkeley, San Francisco International, and Southside Square. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 96.
Elmwood
Average Rent
$2,367/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.4%
TransitScore® Rating
60/100
Units Available
29 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Berkeley, Elmwood might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,367, while the city’s average stands at $2,254. In the last year, prices have decreased by 1.4%. Elmwood is near Downtown Berkeley Station, Rockridge Station, and University and Jepson Herbaria.
South Berkeley
Average Rent
$2,381/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.1%
TransitScore® Rating
65/100
Units Available
142 Rentals
South Berkeley is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in South Berkeley is $2,381 while the city average is $2,254. This is a 1.1% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Southside Square, North Berkeley Station, and Metro Oakland International. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 93.
Spaulding at Berkeley
Average Rent
$2,506/Month
TransitScore® Rating
67/100
Units Available
32 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Berkeley neighborhood on a budget, check out Spaulding at Berkeley. The average rent is $2,506, compared to the city average of $2,254. Spaulding at Berkeley is convenient to Downtown Berkeley, Ashby Station, and North Berkeley Station. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 89.
Downtown Berkeley
Average Rent
$2,577/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
3.3%
TransitScore® Rating
71/100
Units Available
267 Rentals
Downtown Berkeley is an affordable neighborhood in Berkeley with an average rent price of $2,577. Compare this to the city average of $2,254. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 3.3%. Downtown Berkeley provides easy access to Berkeley City College, Downtown Berkeley Station, and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 97.
Berry Bangs
Average Rent
$2,622/Month
TransitScore® Rating
60/100
Units Available
19 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Berkeley, Berry Bangs might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,622, while the city’s average stands at $2,254. Berry Bangs is near Essig Museum of Entomology, UC Berkeley, and Ashby Station.
San Pablo Park
Average Rent
$2,673/Month
TransitScore® Rating
56/100
Units Available
13 Rentals
San Pablo Park is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in San Pablo Park is $2,673 while the city average is $2,254. Residents enjoy convenient access to Cedar-Rose Park, San Francisco International, and The Public Market. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 91.
Poet's Corner
Average Rent
$2,684/Month
TransitScore® Rating
64/100
Units Available
28 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Berkeley neighborhood on a budget, check out Poet's Corner. The average rent is $2,684, compared to the city average of $2,254. Poet's Corner is convenient to Metro Oakland International, Samuel Merritt University, and Berkeley City College. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 93.
Northwest Berkeley
Average Rent
$2,729/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.2%
TransitScore® Rating
60/100
Units Available
42 Rentals
Northwest Berkeley is an affordable neighborhood in Berkeley with an average rent price of $2,729. Compare this to the city average of $2,254. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 1.2%. Northwest Berkeley provides easy access to Cedar-Rose Park, North Berkeley Station, and Lincoln University, Oakland. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 92.
Southwest Berkeley
Average Rent
$2,737/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
6.3%
TransitScore® Rating
58/100
Units Available
65 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Berkeley, Southwest Berkeley might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,737, while the city’s average stands at $2,254. In the last year, prices have increased by 6.3%. Southwest Berkeley is near San Francisco Bay Trail (at Emeryville), Gilman Village, and Habitot Children's Museum.
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Methodology
Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.
We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.